N56VM-AB71 vs N56VZ-DS71 vs N56VJ-DH71 in terms of build quality

Hi guys,

I'm looking into getting a computer this week (can't wait much longer) and I have three options:

1) N56VM-AB71 for $924 Amazon.com: ASUS N56VM-AB71 Full-HD 1080P 15.6-Inch Laptop: Computers & Accessories

i7-3610QM / 6 GB RAM / 750 GB 7200rpm HDD / GT 630M 2GB / DVD RW / Win7

2) N56VZ-DS71 for $1,117 Amazon.com: ASUS N56VZ-DS71 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black): Electronics

i7-3610QM / 8 GB RAM / 750 GB 5400rpm HDD / GT 650M 2GB / BD / Win7

3) N56VJ-DH71 for $999 Amazon.com: ASUS N56VJ-DH71 15.6-Inch Full-HD 1080P Laptop: Computers & Accessories

i7-3630QM (although it's listed as i7-3610QM, pretty sure it's a typo) / 8 GB RAM / 1 TB 5400rpm / GT 635M 2GB / DVD RW / Win8

My main question is: Other than the actual components, are there any differences between these three models in terms of build quality? The reviews for N56VZ are a lot better than for the other two. Is this only because of how Amazon partitioned the reviews or is there more to it? All three of these models have a full HD display. Are they all the same, from the same batch, or are there quality differences between the three? Are all three upgradeable in a similar way, i.e. no gotchas with replacing RAM or HDD in one of these three?

My main concern is the build quality / reliability. I need something solid, good performance, but also something that doesn't overheat. I will swap the HDD with an SDD regardless of which version I pick. N56VJ comes with W8, but I can get a W8 upgrade for $15 so that's a non-issue. If I get N56VM-AB71 I will more than likely also upgrade the RAM (to 16GB). Any RAM upgrade gotchas with this version?

I'm a very light gamer, very light, but if I had something decent to play on I may get back into gaming a bit. Is GT 650M worth almost $200 extra from GT 630M? I could get an SSD for the difference... BD vs DVD = BD is a nice plus, but I can live without, hardly watch BD movies and have a separate player in case I want to.

If VZ is better built than VM then $200 is worth it.

Sorry for the long post; thanks a lot!!!

Peter

 

Hi Peter,

I am in the same boat as you...I was planning to buy the N56VM-AB71 model a few days back, but Amazon took it down saying the product is under review. Now, it's back up since yesterday...not sure if they have fixed whatever issues people have reported in the comments, or they are clearing their inventory...I would probably call Amazon and confirm with them that is not the case...

 

Nobody has any opinions?

@mentalic Haven't noticed it being off...

 

Well..I have purchased the N56VM model from Amazon...should be getting it this week...Will update here once I have used it for a day or two...

 

@mentalic

Hi mentalic,

Congrats for the laptop. Can you check your system for the throttle effect?
If you decide to do it, please take a look at “N56vz review and owners lounge - Techno Art” thread & Nipsen’s comments after my Post #549.

Here is the Nipsen’s tests result

 

I received my laptop yesterday...So far so good...Did not see any issues with the keyboard or touchpad so far...but its too early to say...

There is a lot of ASUS bloatware on this m/c...Does anyone know what stuff I can get rid of from this laptop?

@duhai: I can run the test. Do I need to run Prime95 and FurMark together for this?

 

Yepp, that’s the essential. Running both tests in the same time put the system under heavy load for GPU/CPU. Your model VM should be fine and perform better than VZ without the throttle effect.

Edit: How looks the throttle effect.

(+) Throttle / Nipsen’s N56vz



(-) Throttle / C90S

 

I bought the AB71 version a month ago, and no complaints by now. 100% solid build quality and performs very well in heavy tasks.

Use: cad, ps, ai, 3ds, rhino, skp.

Im planning on upgrading the RAM but i dont know what speeds they are. 1333? 1666? Someone knows?

Get the 650M only if you plan on more extensive gaming. Otherwise the 630M will fill in also.


Enviado desde mi GT-I9100

 

Hey...What ASUS bloatware did you remove from your laptop?

I see so many ASUS programs that have been installed by default.

 

Pretty good build quality.

 

I recently installed Windows 8 Pro from a clean boot; installed (besides video) :

usb 3.0
wifi
chipset
asus live update
smart gesture
atk package
power4gear

And for anything else, just run Live Update and that will keep u with the latest drives. All my Fn keys working (wifi, backlit keyboard, brightness, volume, etc). Also be sure to run windows update!

My win 8 works flawless


Enviado desde mi GT-I9100

 

@mentalic

Could you post your stress test result if you did it?

 

Not yet...I am waiting to pry the laptop out of my wife's hands (got it for her)...

Hopefully will get to it this weekend...

Meanwhile...everything seems to be working fine...backlit keyboard..sound...all seems ok...no complaints so far...

 

Oops! Sorry you are already performing the best stress test.
Don’t worry, be happy with the VM! For me your/her model is better than VZ.

 

...btw...price on amazon has gone down to $899 for the VM model

 

I just bought the N56VM-AB71 from amazon for this price. For the most part it works great out of the box: it's super fast, the display is really nice. In Ubuntu, most of the features work, except for possibly the GT630M drivers. Also the battery life is much worse, at least with default settings, vs Windows 7.

There are some minor build quality issues on mine. The F10 key is stuck: you can still use it but it makes a weird sound and doesn't pop up fully. The top edge of the touchpad (near the keyboard) sticks up a bit, which doesn't affect its function but feels a bit flaky.

Does anyone have experience with Asus/Amazon on the warranty period? I'm wondering if I could get this one replaced for a different one of the same model, and whether it'd be worth it. I might already be too attached to it though.